Fishing line reservoir



Jam 2, 1962 A. J. NowAKowsKl 3,015,183

FISHING LINE RESERVOIR Filed May 27, 1959 EL y ZG Z4) z2; /7/

INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,015,183 FISHING LINE RESERVOIR Albert J. Nowakowski, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Still Fish Reel Company, a partnership Filed May 27, 1959, Ser. No. 816,311 z Claims. (Cl. fis- 20) The present invention relates to the sport of fishing, and, particularly, to a novel device for storing a supply of fishing line.

The device of the invention iinds particular application in combination with the tubular, hollow iishing poles or rods used widely in still shing. These fishing poles are usually formed of several lengths connected in telescoping relationship. Rods of the telescoping type are manufactured by such manufacturers as Orchard Industries, Hastings, Michigan, who make rods under the trade name Actionrod and Extendo, and the South Bend Tackle Company, South Bend, Indiana. The most preferred and desirable of these rods consist of bundles of Fiberglas linearly disposed in a plastic matrix, e.g., usually a polyester resin. U.S. Patent 2,571,692 discloses a rod of this general type. The rods described are desired because of their combination of strength and flexibility which simulate and, in fact, improve on the action of natural bamboo. The hollow character of the rods adds to their lightness, and also serves as an internal passageway for line.

The most inconvenient feature encountered in the use of these rods is the matter of connecting the fishing line thereto. Usually, a length of line is merely tied toV the rod, and is removed after the days fishing, so that the rod can be telescoped in-to itsreduced size for ease of transportation. This, of course, limits the fisherman as to depth of shing and distanceout from the boat or shore. If the rod and line are retained connected together, then, the problems of risk of tangling must be expected as the rod is telescoped. The various hooks, leaders, weights, bobber's, etc., accentuate the problem both of snags `and that of securing the line and the other items to the pole. The problem is further accentuated where, the angler desires to keep a suicient supply of line on the rod so that there will Ibe suicient length to accommodate any depth which he may encounter. Thus, the extra length must bewound on the rod in 'some` fashion, usually the rear or butt end so as not to upset the balance of the pole. This is far from neat, however, and, as indicated, further increases the possibilities of snags, etc.

f One'tscheme for attempting to solve these problems is disclosed in hU,S. Patent 2,808,676. This 'patent proposes a constr'ction employing a reel similar to those used in casting rods. t In addition, it proposesa sleeve member for the rear 4end of a hollow rod, the sleeve including a rear plate havinga hole and side passageway. Line passes down *the rod, out theliole, and reversely up the side passageway from which the line passes to the reel clamped to the rod. Unfortunately, this scheme obviously necessitatesexposure of the line "at the rear end. Consequent ly, friction and wear result. Also, the r'el is clumsy in its exterior positiomfand detracts fromthe anglersat- It is likewise an objectof invention-.to provide `aw 'device offthe character described which is capableof conveniently dispensing `line from the storage space or reservoir, vand also retrieving line extending fromthe pole in fishing position.

Patented Jan. 2, A1962 ICC It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described which is easily assembled with a hollow-type shing rod, and is of itself of novel, simple design and construction.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a ishl ing pole accessory ,of the type described which is tubular in shape and includes a rotatable reel member within its contines such that it is not evident from a casual glance, and, in addition, is not bulky, complicated, or a hindrance in t-he handling of the rod in carrying out the sport of fishing.

Basically, the present invention comprises a shell-like member telescopically and snugly engageable with the rear end of a hollow, linear tishing pole, said shell member having rotatably mounted within the surfaceconiines of its exterior surface, a circular reel element having a crank arm for rotation of said reel as desired, and said reel being in communication with said hollow portion of said pole, whereby line does not pass outside of said pole or said shell member assembly.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the V4annexed sheet of drawings, on vwhich there is presented for purposes of illustration only, a single embodiment of the fishing pole accessory of this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a side elevation view, with sections broken away, of a hollow, linear shing pole or rod, and, particularly, of the three-section, telescopically-connected variety. FIG. 2 is la top plan view of the device of the present invention in assembled relationship with the rod shown in FIG. l, said rod being shown in broken lines. j

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken ony the lline 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5V is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 in FIG. 2. V

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, thereis disclosed in FIG'. l a fishing pole 11, composed of a tip end 13, aV middle portion 15, and a butt -or rear end 17. In the order just listed, each xof the sections is slightly larger in diameter, and each is hollow so that they vmay be telescopically connected together. In FIG. 2, the rod 11 is shown in combination with the shell-like accessory 20 of the present invention. The device 20'is generally tube-like, and has a smooth symmetrical contour. In particular, the rear end 17 (shown dotted) `oi the pole is snuglytreceived` in an axial bore 22 in the foreward end of the shell 20. The bore terminates in a wall 24,1against which the extremity 17a of the rear end 17 rests and abuts.V Just tothe rear of the wall 24, the shell is providedwith a rectangular bore 2.6. The bore is defined by foreward wall surface 28, rear wall surface 29, and spaced sidel walls 30 and 31. Looking into` the rectangular bore;;a`s inV FIG. 2, Athe sidewalls are spaced closer togetherthan the fore and rear walls. The rectangular bore extends all the way through the shell member 20 in traversing relationship.` The rectangularbore 26 deines a chamber which is open at both ends and is capable of receiving a circular reel element 34. The thickness of the reel element is just less than the distance between the side wall surfaces 30 and 31 so that the reel element will tit snuglyl therein but will slide for ease of assembly and`for free rotation as described hereinafter. The reel element 34 is provided with a continuous recess 36 in the periphery thereof, and also contains Ia central axial hole 38 which is, in addition, provided with a key-way slot 38a for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

To aid in mounting the reel element the rectangular chamber. 26, the shell 20 is provided with bored holes 41 and 43 vdisposed nonni-al to the bore 26 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The holes 41 and 43l are in alignment, and the hole 41 is enlarged for a portion of its length as at 45 to provide ashoulder 46. The hole 41 also is provided with a keyway slot 41a.` Shaft or pin 51 is snugly but rotatably received in the holes 41 and 43 in the shell member and hole 38 in the reel element, and thus carries the reel element in fixed, mounted relationship within the chamber 26, as describedabove. One end of the shaft 51 is enlarged sharply as at 52 to dene a shoulder 52, which abuts against the shoulder 46 formed on the shell member 20. 'Ihe shaft is` held in combination with the shell by a split ring 54 which snaps over the end 55 in a recess (not shown) therein. The contact of the shoulders and the splitring cooperate to provide a simple scheme for holding the shell member 20, reel 34, and shaft 1 in secure, assembled relationship. The shaft 51 includes a projection or key 56 midway between the ends thereof. The key 56 passes through the key-way slot 41a into keyslot 28a in the reel element 34 as the shaft 51 and reel 34 are assembled with the shell 20, and thus engages the reel element 34 as the shaft 51 is rotated, to thereby rotate the reel element 34.

In order that the shaft 51 may be rotated, it is provided with ya crank arm 60. The crank 60 is connected to the shaft 51. atA the enlarged end 52. The extremity of the enlarged end is provided with a groove 52a through which apin71 passes. The end 61 of the crank arm 6,0 is bent aroundthe pin 71 as shown in FIG. 2. The other end 63 of the crank arm is bent `normal to the central length 62, and has mounted thereon a rotatable, cylindrical sleeve vwhichis, in ofset,.parallel relationship with the shaft 5,1. .The connection between the end 61 and the pin 71 as described permits the crank arm 60 to pivot from the position shown in'full line in FIG. 2 to the position shown in dotted line in the same gure. To accommodate the sleeveand end conveniently, the rear end of the shell 20 iscutayyay slightly as at 21a.

H*The reel element 34 has wound thereon a continuous lengthof fishing jline 91 whichfits into the recess 36. The end of the line is `conveniently attached to the root of the recessu in .permanent fashion by applying heat -to the end to lbring the line made of yplastic to the softening point momentarily so that when it resolidies it attaches to the boifom surface of the recess 36. 'I 'he reel element itself is ydesirably .fabricated `of Va thermoplastic material such a vinyl, which has a softening point similar to that of the line so as to `aid in the connection of the line to the reel element. The 'line 91 ywound in the recess 36 also extends `through one or the other of the apertures in the wall 24 (see 4FIG. 3). A s shoyvn in this figure, the line extends through the s mall aperture on the left (the llednapeiture) and. having the reference numeral 91 oil-innec'tedithereto by a lead line. In assembled relationship this is the top half of the *l accessory with the handle 6,9,onfthe `for a righthanded fisherman. For a left handedy fisherman, the line would bepu-t through thesrnall aperture'on the right in FIG. 3. This would make that ofthe accessory the top withl the handle 60 on the left side..

plasti'c suchl as a'lled alkyd, phenolic, or the like.

beV appreciated from the foregoing description, thel elements which ymake up the accessory device of the invention may be easily assembled together in operative relationship. The device is preferablymarketed with the line.` attached as described above.l Then, all the purchaser Y needsto dois to thread the line through the hollow shing polesections andthe devicegslid onine butt end of the rod. The rod fitssnugly inthe bore as described hereinabove, and` nothing is neededrtofurther attach the device to the rod.' YWhen the pole anduaccessory are-in assembled lishing relationship, the length of line needed for the particulary fishing circumstances encountered may be withdrawn "'lhczshell Imember 20 'is 'fabricatedV of` an impaot-resisti from the reel element by moving the crank arm to the operative position and pulling on the other end of the line. Conversely, the length of line may be shortened, as desired, by turning the crank to reel in line, after which the crank arm may be pivoted to the retracted out of the way position. This also llocks the reel element to prevent any rotating thereof and any change in the length of the line. When lthe fishing tour is completed, the accessory constituting the present invention is a useful aid in bringing the rod into telescoped secure position. First, the hook is secured to the rear end of the rod'. A rubber band tightly encircling the rod near the rear end Iprovides a convenient .arrangement for engaging the hook. It is also possible to secure the hook against the forward wall 28 of the chamber containing the reel element. Then, one need only reach upland loosen the joint between the section 17 andthe middle section 15, whereupon the handle may be rotated. This will reel in line, but, as the hook is held firmly, the result will be that the middle section will telescope within `the butt end section 17 and bring the joint between the middle section and the tip end section closer to the fisherman. Then, in like fashion, the fisherman'need only reach up and loosen the last-mentioned joint `and reel in as before to telescopeithe tip end section into the middle section already within the butt end section.` When this is completed, the handle may be pivoted to locking position, and theequipment will be secure until the next time. The feature just described` is particularly advantageous and desirable. where the shing is being conductedfrom -a boat where space is at a premium. Usually, the rod has to be extensively manipulated in lorder ot get the gear collapsed and put into secured relationship.

`It will beV appreciated that once. the accessory of the, presentinventioin is assembled with a hollow, tubular fishing pole -or rod, it maybe kept or maintained .in such assembled relaitonship'premianently, and need `not be disassembled inbetween times'of use. The oompactness and smooth contour provides complete unobtrusiveness in the assembled form.` Obviously, of course, the simple manner of attachment, namely, the telescoping, frictional en gagernent,` fwill .permit the user toeremove the accessory, if.A desired, by .simply removing the hook from the line, reeling `the I1ine`in,.and pulling the accessoryofthe butt endoftherod.-` Y' v y y Modifications will suggest themselves to those `skilled in the art. from the foregoing descriptions, and it is, therefore, intended that all such obvious equivalentsand modilications shallbe included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Ida-km. I*

`v1. A fishing line reservoir accessory for a fishing pole having an axial passagewayY for said line to extend from one endto the other end of said pole, s aid accessory com prising, (l) a one-piece, molded, plastic shell formed with an axialbore in one end thereof to receive said pole and with a relatively thin rectangular aperture .therethrough at therear ofsaid bore, said shell having an 'integrally formed,recessed, transverse wall separating the foreward axial bore .from the relatively thin rectangular aperture, saidfbore snugly lbut slidablyreceiving the rear end lof said polein abutting relationship with saidwall, s aid aperture extendingv from one side of saidshell to the other side in normal relationship to the axis ofvsaidshell, saidwall containing a Vhole connecting vsaid axial bore and said; rectangular aperture, (-2) a relatively thin, circular, molded plastic reel elementhaving a diameter not greater than the diameter of said `shell proximate said aperture, .said reel element being snugly but easily rotatablyreceived in/saidv aperture and including Va continuous peripheral recess forLv a supply of line woundtherein, L(3)- a plastic shaft means rotatably mountedin said shell kcentrally located andnormal to 4saidaperture,` saidshaft engaging and carrying said reel element, :one endof said shaft protruding slightly from said shell,,a`nd (4) an L-'shaped handle engaging said protruding end of said shaft for rotating said reel to wind up line extending through said pole passageway and through said hole in said Wall.

2. The accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein, (l) the shaft has one end of larger diameter than the remainder thereof forming a shoulder and said shell has a corresponding recess to abut and support said shoulder providing improved bearing support, (2) the handle is pivotably mounted on said protruding end of said shaft, and (3) said shell has a grooved recess at its rear end opposite said bore-containing end, to receive and lock said handle to prevent rotation of said reel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kepler Oct. 8, 1889 Garr June 25, 1946 Lee June 2, 1953 Ruff Oct. 25, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 5, 1934 

1. A FISHING LINE RESERVOIR ACCESSORY FOR A FISHING POLE HAVING AN AXIAL PASSAGEWAY FOR SAID LINE TO EXTEND FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER END OF SAID POLE, SAID ACCESSORY COMPRISING, (1) A ONE-PIECE, MOLDED, PLASTIC SHELL FORMED WITH AN AXIAL BORE IN ONE END THEREOF TO RECEIVE SAID POLE AND WITH A RELATIVELY THIN RECTANGULAR APERTURE THERETHROUGH AT THE REAR OF SAID BORE SAID SHELL HAVING AN INTEGRALLY FORMED ,RECESSED, TRANSVERSE WALL SEPARATING THE FOREWARD AXIAL BORE FROM THE RELATIVELY THIN RECTANGULAR APERTURE SAID BORE SNUGLY BUT SLIDABLY RECEIVING THE REAR END OF SAID POLE IN ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID WALL, SAID APERTURE EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE TO SAID SHELL TO THE OTHER SIDE IN NORMAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE AXIS OF SAID SHELL, SAID WALL CONTAINING A HOLE CONNECTING SAID AXIAL BORE AND SAID RECTANGULAR APERTURE, (2) A RELATIVELY THIN CIRCULAR, MOLDED PLASTIC REEL ELEMENT HAVING A DIAMETER NOT GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID SHELL PROXIMATE SAID APERTURE, SAID REEL ELEMENT BEING SNUGLY BUT EASILY ROTATABLY RECEIVED IN SAID APERTURE AND INCLUDING A CONTINUOUS PERIPHERAL RECESS FOR A SUPPLY OF LINE WOUND THEREIN, (3) A PLASTIC SHAFT MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID SHELL CENTRALLY LOCATED AND NORMAL TO SAID APERTURE, SAID SHAFT ENGAGING AND CARRYING SAID REEL ELEMENT ON ONE END OF SAID SHAFT PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY FROM SAID SHELL, AND (4) AN L-SHAPED HANDLE ENGAGING SAID PROTRUDING END OF SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATING SAID REEL TO WIND UP LINE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID POLE PASSAGEWAY AND THROUGH SAID HOLE IN SAID WALL. 